Clough backs Ferguson to turn things round at Doncaster Rovers

Paul Goodwin

Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough thinks Doncaster Rovers will bounce back to League One at the first time of asking under Darren Ferguson.

The Brewers celebrated promotion at the Keepmoat Stadium last weekend - emulating Rovers’ rise from non-league to the Championship.

But while the former Southern League club are on an upward trajectory and can look forward to games with the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle United next season, Doncaster are heading in the opposite direction following their recent spells in the second tier.

However, ex-Sheffield United boss Clough reckons Rovers can do another U-turn under Ferguson and make an immediate return to League One.

“I think they’ve been very unlucky this season,” said Clough, on Rovers.

“We played them in one of our first games [back in charge] and we scored in the last minute to get a 3-3 draw.

Burton’s rise through the leagues is every bit, if not more, impressive than the one enjoyed by Rovers. So what has been their secret to success?

“Same chairman, making sensible decisions and not spending money we haven’t got,” said Clough.

“We haven’t gone chasing it.

“Everything in football seems like it’s got to be done here and now but it’s not like that at this club.

“Early on in our relationship, it might have been a year or two in when we were in the Southern League and trying to get a team together to get promoted and I said ‘we’ll try and go up but what if we don’t?’ The chairman said ‘we’ll have a go next year’.

“There’s no time limit on anything, he doesn’t say ‘we’ve got to be up by this year or that season’ or whatever. It’s just making sensible decisions.”